DEP SPECIFICATION

UT IN LIEU OF RT FOR CODE CONSTRUCTION OF

PRESSURE EQUIPMENT
Copyright Shell Group of Companies. No reproduction or networking permitted without license from Shell. Not for resale

DEP 31.22.00.12-Gen.

February 2014

ECCN EAR99

DESIGN AND ENGINEERING PRACTICE

2014 Shell Group of companies

All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, published or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior
written permission of the copyright owner or Shell Global Solutions International BV.

This document contains information that is classified as EAR99 and, as a consequence, can neither be exported nor re-exported to any country which is under an
embargo of the U.S. government pursuant to Part 746 of the Export Administration Regulations (15 C.F R. Part 746) nor can be made available to any national of such
country. In addition, the information in this document cannot be exported nor re-exported to an end-user or for an end-use that is prohibited by Part 744 of the Export
Administration Regulations (15 C.F.R. Part 744).

This document has been supplied under license by Shell to:

Shell [email protected] 18/07/2015 08:30:33
ECCN EAR99 DEP 31.22.00.12-Gen.
February 2014
Page 2

PREFACE

DEP (Design and Engineering Practice) publications reflect the views, at the time of publication, of Shell Global Solutions
International B.V. (Shell GSI) and, in some cases, of other Shell Companies.
These views are based on the experience acquired during involvement with the design, construction, operation and
maintenance of processing units and facilities. Where deemed appropriate DEPs are based on, or reference international,
regional, national and industry standards.
The objective is to set the standard for good design and engineering practice to be applied by Shell companies in oil and
gas production, oil refining, gas handling, gasification, chemical processing, or any other such facility, and thereby to help
achieve maximum technical and economic benefit from standardization.
The information set forth in these publications is provided to Shell companies for their consideration and decision to
implement. This is of particular importance where DEPs may not cover every requirement or diversity of condition at each
locality. The system of DEPs is expected to be sufficiently flexible to allow individual Operating Units to adapt the
information set forth in DEPs to their own environment and requirements.
When Contractors or Manufacturers/Suppliers use DEPs, they shall be solely responsible for such use, including the
quality of their work and the attainment of the required design and engineering standards. In particular, for those
requirements not specifically covered, the Principal will typically expect them to follow those design and engineering
practices that will achieve at least the same level of integrity as reflected in the DEPs. If in doubt, the Contractor or
Manufacturer/Supplier shall, without detracting from his own respons bility, consult the Principal.
The right to obtain and to use DEPs is restricted, and is typically granted by Shell GSI (and in some cases by other Shell
Companies) under a Service Agreement or a License Agreement. This right is granted primarily to Shell companies and
other companies receiving technical advice and services from Shell GSI or another Shell Company. Consequently, three
categories of users of DEPs can be distinguished:
1) Operating Units having a Service Agreement with Shell GSI or another Shell Company. The use of DEPs by these
Operating Units is subject in all respects to the terms and conditions of the relevant Service Agreement.
2) Other parties who are authorised to use DEPs subject to appropriate contractual arrangements (whether as part of
a Service Agreement or otherwise).
3) Contractors/subcontractors and Manufacturers/Suppliers under a contract with users referred to under 1) or 2)
which requires that tenders for projects, materials supplied or - generally - work performed on behalf of the said
users comply with the relevant standards.
Subject to any particular terms and conditions as may be set forth in specific agreements with users, Shell GSI disclaims
any liability of whatsoever nature for any damage (including injury or death) suffered by any company or person
whomsoever as a result of or in connection with the use, application or implementation of any DEP, combination of DEPs
or any part thereof, even if it is wholly or partly caused by negligence on the part of Shell GSI or other Shell Company. The
benefit of this disclaimer shall inure in all respects to Shell GSI and/or any Shell Company, or companies affiliated to these
companies, that may issue DEPs or advise or require the use of DEPs.
Without prejudice to any specific terms in respect of confidentiality under relevant contractual arrangements, DEPs shall
not, without the prior written consent of Shell GSI, be disclosed by users to any company or person whomsoever and the
DEPs shall be used exclusively for the purpose for which they have been provided to the user. They shall be returned after
use, including any copies which shall only be made by users with the express prior written consent of Shell GSI. The
copyright of DEPs vests in Shell Group of companies. Users shall arrange for DEPs to be held in safe custody and Shell
GSI may at any time require information satisfactory to them in order to ascertain how users implement this requirement.
All administrative queries should be directed to the DEP Administrator in Shell GSI.

This document has been supplied under license by Shell to:

Shell [email protected] 18/07/2015 08:30:33
ECCN EAR99 DEP 31.22.00.12-Gen.
February 2014
Page 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 4
1.1 SCOPE........................................................................................................................ 4
1.2 DISTRIBUTION, INTENDED USE AND REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS ......... 4
1.3 DEFINITIONS ............................................................................................................. 4
1.4 CROSS-REFERENCES ............................................................................................. 5
1.5 SUMMARY OF MAIN CHANGES ............................................................................... 5
1.6 COMMENTS ON THIS DEP ....................................................................................... 5
1.7 DUAL UNITS ............................................................................................................... 5
1.8 NON NORMATIVE TEXT (COMMENTARY) .............................................................. 5
2. INSPECTION OF PROCESS PIPING ........................................................................ 6
2.1 GENERAL ................................................................................................................... 6
2.2 ACCEPTABLE EXAMINATION METHODS AND REQUIRED EXTENT OF
EXAMINATION ........................................................................................................... 6
2.3 ULTRASONIC METHODS AND FLAW ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA .......................... 8
3. INSPECTION OF POWER PIPING .......................................................................... 11
4. TANK INSPECTION ................................................................................................. 11
4.1 LOW PRESSURE WELDED STORAGE TANKS ..................................................... 11
4.2 WELDED TANKS FOR OIL STORAGE ................................................................... 11
5. VESSEL INSPECTION ............................................................................................. 11
6. REFERENCES ......................................................................................................... 12

APPENDICES
APPENDIX A UT PROCEDURE ................................................................................................. 13
APPENDIX B PERFORMANCE DEMONSTRATION OF UT PROCEDURE ............................ 15
APPENDIX C PERSONNEL QUALIFICATION TESTING ......................................................... 16

This document has been supplied under license by Shell to:

Shell [email protected] 18/07/2015 08:30:33
ECCN EAR99 DEP 31.22.00.12-Gen.
February 2014
Page 4

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 SCOPE
This new DEP specifies requirements and gives recommendations for application of
Ultrasonic Testing (UT) in lieu of Radiographic Testing (RT) for the inspection of pressure
vessels, tanks and piping during fabrication/construction.
Construction materials covered by this DEP are carbon steel, Cr-Mo and 12Cr steels,
austenitic stainless steel and duplex stainless steel with the thickness equal to or greater
than 12.5 mm (0.493 in).

1.2 DISTRIBUTION, INTENDED USE AND REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS

Unless otherwise authorised by Shell GSI, the distribution of this DEP is confined to Shell
companies and, where necessary, to Contractors and Manufacturers/Suppliers nominated
by them. Any authorised access to DEPs does not for that reason constitute an
authorisation to any documents, data or information to which the DEPs may refer.
This DEP is intended for use in facilities related to oil and gas production, gas handling, oil
refining, chemical processing, gasification, distribution and supply/marketing. This DEP
may also be applied in other similar facilities.
When DEPs are applied, a Management of Change (MOC) process shall be implemented;
this is of particular importance when existing facilities are to be modified.
If national and/or local regulations exist in which some of the requirements could be more
stringent than in this DEP, the Contractor shall determine by careful scrutiny which of the
requirements are the more stringent and which combination of requirements will be
acceptable with regards to the safety, environmental, economic and legal aspects. In all
cases, the Contractor shall inform the Principal of any deviation from the requirements of
this DEP which is considered to be necessary in order to comply with national and/or local
regulations. The Principal may then negotiate with the Authorities concerned, the objective
being to obtain agreement to follow this DEP as closely as possible.

1.3 DEFINITIONS
1.3.1 General definitions
The Contractor is the party that carries out all or part of the design, engineering,
procurement, construction, commissioning or management of a project or operation of a
facility. The Principal may undertake all or part of the duties of the Contractor.
The Manufacturer/Supplier is the party that manufactures or supplies equipment and
services to perform the duties specified by the Contractor.
The Principal is the party that initiates the project and ultimately pays for it. The Principal
may also include an agent or consultant authorised to act for, and on behalf of, the
Principal.
The word shall indicates a requirement.
The word should indicates a recommendation.
1.3.2 Abbreviations

Term Definitions
CS carbon steel
HAZ heat affected zone
MOC Management of Change
PA Phased Array
RT Radiographic Testing

This document has been supplied under license by Shell to:

Shell [email protected] 18/07/2015 08:30:33
ECCN EAR99 DEP 31.22.00.12-Gen.
February 2014
Page 5

Term Definitions
TOFD Time of Flight Diffraction
UT Ultrasonic Testing

1.4 CROSS-REFERENCES
Where cross-references to other parts of this DEP are made, the referenced section or
clause number is shown in brackets ( ). Other documents referenced by this DEP are listed
in (6).

1.5 SUMMARY OF MAIN CHANGES

This is a new DEP.

1.6 COMMENTS ON THIS DEP

Comments on this DEP may be submitted to the Administrator using one of the following
options:

Shell DEPs Online Enter the Shell DEPs Online system at

https://www.shelldeps.com
(Users with access to
Shell DEPs Online) Select a DEP and then go to the details screen for
that DEP.
Click on the Give feedback link, fill in the online
form and submit.

DEP Feedback System Enter comments directly in the DEP Feedback

(Users with access to System which is accessible from the Technical
Shell Wide Web) Standards Portal http://sww.shell.com/standards.
Select Submit DEP Feedback, fill in the online form
and submit.

DEP Standard Form Use DEP Standard Form 00.00.05.80-Gen. to record

(Other users) feedback and email the form to the Administrator at
[email protected].

Feedback that has been registered in the DEP Feedback System by using one of the above
options will be reviewed by the DEP Custodian for potential improvements to the DEP.

1.7 DUAL UNITS

This DEP contains both the International System (SI) units, as well as the corresponding
US Customary (USC) units, which are given following the SI units in brackets. When
agreed by the Principal, the indicated USC values/units may be used.

1.8 NON NORMATIVE TEXT (COMMENTARY)

Text shown in italic style in this DEP indicates text that is non-normative and is provided as
explanation or background information only.
Non-normative text is normally indented slightly to the right of the relevant DEP clause.

This document has been supplied under license by Shell to:

Shell [email protected] 18/07/2015 08:30:33
ECCN EAR99 DEP 31.22.00.12-Gen.
February 2014
Page 6

2. INSPECTION OF PROCESS PIPING

2.1 GENERAL
1. This section is applicable only to process pipes constructed to ASME B31.3, which
allows the use of radiographic testing (RT) or ultrasonic testing (UT) for the inspection
of welds in process piping.
2. If UT is used in lieu of RT, the following requirements apply:
a. UT may be used to inspect welds, but UT shall not be used in lieu of RT to
increase weld joint quality factor, except for high pressure piping where
ultrasonic examination of welds may be substituted for radiographic
examination.
b. For high pressure piping with thickness > 13 mm (1/2 in) UT may be
substituted for RT. Section K344.6.3 of ASME B 31.3 shall be followed for the
application of UT.
c. UT methods for inspection of piping girth welds shall be limited to manual UT
(MUT), automated ultrasonic testing (AUT), phased array (PA), and time of
flight diffraction (TOFD). Selection of UT method(s) shall be based on the
piping material, pressure class and fluid service, as detailed in (2.2) and (2.3).
d. UT personnel shall be UT Level II (SNT-TC-1A, ISO 9712, PCN) as a
minimum. Personnel performing AUT, PA or TOFD in lieu if RT shall be
subject to passing a qualification test as specified in (Appendix C) of this DEP.
It is the UT Suppliers responsibility to maintain the qualification records. The
records shall be made available to the Principal for review and audits upon
request.

2.2 ACCEPTABLE EXAMINATION METHODS AND REQUIRED EXTENT OF EXAMINATION

1. Examination methods and the required extent of examination of piping girth welds shall
be as specified in Table 1 and are dependent on the fluid service, material, and
pressure class.
Table 1 specifies requirements for use of RT, and alternative requirements for use
of UT in lieu of RT. Table 1 also specifies the minimum required MT. Since UT
typically has dead zones at/near the OD/ID weld crowns, a greater extent of MT is
required when UT is used in lieu of RT.

2. When TOFD is used, the weld examination shall be supplemented by pulsed-echo

technique such as MUT, PA or AUT, as specified in this DEP.
3. The specified percentage of examination shall be interpreted as follows.
a. 100% means meeting requirements of the 100% examination,
b. Less than 100% means meeting requirements of the random examination, as
defined in B31.3 paragraph. 344.1.3.
4. Requirement for 5% (10%) weld examination means that 5% (10%) of the production
welds on the Principals work shall be randomly examined throughout the fabrication
period.
a. 5% (10%) of the production welds made by each welder shall be examined.
b. Examined welds shall be representative of the welds made on the job
including size, thickness, welding position, etc.
c. If more than one welding procedure is used, the 5% (10%) shall apply to each
procedure.

This document has been supplied under license by Shell to:

Shell [email protected] 18/07/2015 08:30:33
ECCN EAR99 DEP 31.22.00.12-Gen.
February 2014
Page 7

Table 1 Minimum examination requirements for CS, Cr-Mo Steel,

and 12Cr piping girth welds
FLUID STEEL ANSI EXAMINATION ALTERNATIVE EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS
SERVICE (1) TYPE PRESSURE REQUIREMENTS USING
CLASS UT IN LIEU OF RT
RT (2) MT (3) UT MT (5)
% %
% ULTRASONIC METHODS AND FLAW
ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA (4)
CATEGORY D CARBON 150 5 - 5 MUT w/B31.3 CRITERIA 5
FLUID STEEL
SERVICE
NORMAL CARBON 150- 600 5 - 5 PA w/B31.3 CRITERIA 5
FLUID STEEL
SERVICE 900 10 - PA w/B31.3 CRITERIA AND/OR 10
AUT w/B31.3 CRITERIA
1500 - 2500 100 - 100 PA w/B31 CASE 181 CRITERIA AND/OR 100
AUT w/B31 CASE 181 CRITERIA
AND/OR
TOFD w/B31 CASE 181 CRITERIA
Cr-Mo 150 - 900 10 10 PA w/B31.3 CRITERIA AND/OR 10
STEEL AUT w/B31.3 CRITERIA
1500 - 2500 100 100 PA w/B31 CASE 181 CRITERIA AND/OR 100
AUT w/B31 CASE 181 CRITERIA
AND/OR
TOFD w/B31 CASE 181 CRITERIA
12Cr 150 - 2500 100 100 100 PA w/B31 CASE 181 CRITERIA AND/OR 100
STEEL AUT w/B31 CASE 181 CRITERIA
AND/OR
TOFD w/B31 CASE 181 CRITERIA
CATEGORY M ALL ALL 100 100 100 PA w/B31 CASE 181 CRITERIA AND/OR 100
FLUID AUT w/B31 CASE 181 CRITERIA
SERVICE OR AND/OR
SEVERE TOFD w/B31 CASE 181 CRITERIA
CYCLIC
SERVICE

NOTES: 1. Per B31.3 paragraph 300.2 definitions

2. Method requirements per B31.3 paragraph 344.5.1, acceptance criteria per B31.3
paragraph 341.3.2.
3. Examination requirements per B31.3 paragraph 344.3; acceptance criteria per B31.3
paragraph 341.3.2. The examination shall cover final weld. The examination shall also cover the
root pass if possible.
4. See details in (2.3). Use B31.3 criteria instead of B31 Case 181 criteria if the material thickness is
less than 25 mm (1.0 in).
5. Examination requirements per B31.3 paragraph 344.3; acceptance criteria per B31.3
paragraph 341.3.2. The examination shall cover the final weld. The examination shall also cover
the root pass if poss ble.
6. When MT is not applicable, it can be substituted by PT.
7. When Austenitic material is utilised for construction, and UT is used in lieu of RT, the extent of UT
shall be 100 % (irrespective to fluid service type and pressure class).
8. For the inspection of austenitic welds, ISO 22825 shall be followed for technique selection,
procedure development and operator qualification requirements. A procedure qualification test
program shall be developed by the Manufacturer and agreed with the Principal.

5. For Cr-Mo and 12Cr steel welds, the first two production welds made by each welder
shall be examined. These two examinations shall be in addition to the above 5% (10%)
examination requirement.
6. When progressive examination of a welder's work is required basis B31.3, the
follow-up examinations shall be made only on the Principals work and on welds of the

This document has been supplied under license by Shell to:

Shell [email protected] 18/07/2015 08:30:33
ECCN EAR99 DEP 31.22.00.12-Gen.
February 2014
Page 8

same metallurgy made by the same welding procedure as used to make the defective
weld. In cases where a welder has made only one or two welds, 100% examination of
all welds on the job made by the welder in question shall satisfy the Principals
requirements.
7. Examination of repair welds shall use the same technique that was used originally to
determine the defects.

2.3 ULTRASONIC METHODS AND FLAW ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA

2.3.1 General
1. The combinations of UT method and flaw acceptance criteria specified in (2.3.2)
through (2.3.7) may be used for inspection of piping girth welds as specified in Table 1.
2.3.2 MUT with B31.3 criteria
1. Manual shear wave UT may be used for weld examination on carbon steel piping in
Category D Fluid Service.
2. The examination shall meet requirements of ASME BPVC Section V, T-472, except
that the examination shall be performed for two beam angles, including 45 and
another angle appropriate for the configuration.
3. The flaw acceptance criteria for MUT shall be as specified in B31.3 paragraph 344.6.2.
4. A weld is considered acceptable only if it passes the examination and acceptance
criteria for both the 45 angle and the angle appropriate for the configuration.
5. If the weld cap is not machined or ground flat, examination shall be from the base
metal on both sides of the weld cap in both weld axes directions.
Note that T-472 does not mandate machining or grinding flat the weld cap on the
outside surface for UT. However, it does require that the probe be manipulated so
that the beam is directed essentially parallel to the weld axis when examining for
flaws transverse to the weld.
2.3.3 PA with B31.3 criteria
1. PA UT may be used with flaw acceptance criteria specified in B31.3 paragraph.
344.6.2 for weld examination on CS and Cr-Mo steel pipes of ANSI Pressure Class
150 900 in Normal Fluid Service.
2. The PA system shall be equipped with either an encoder or a mechanized scanner.
3. The examination procedure and performance shall meet requirements specified in
(Appendix A) and (Appendix B) of this DEP.
4. At least two beam angles shall be calibrated per Section V, T-464, to set up the
reference level for examination per B31.3 paragraph. 344.6.
5. PA with B31.3 Criteria is more stringent examination than MUT with B31.3 Criteria
and therefore may be used for weld examination on CS piping in Category D Fluid
Service.
6. For PA examination of CS piping of ANSI Pressure Class 150 600 in Normal Fluid
Service and CS piping in Category D Fluid Service, the weld cap on the outside
surface does not need to be machined or ground flat. However, the examination shall
be performed from the base metal on both sides of the weld cap in both weld axis
directions, as required by Section V, T-472.
7. For all other PA applications specified in Table 1, contour grinding or machining of
welds on the outside surface is required to the extent necessary to perform
examination of the weld and heat-affected zone (HAZ) for transverse cracking. To
meet this requirement, the pipe Manufacturer shall contour grind or machine the weld
caps prior to conducting UT.

This document has been supplied under license by Shell to:

Shell [email protected] 18/07/2015 08:30:33
ECCN EAR99 DEP 31.22.00.12-Gen.
February 2014
Page 9

8. The examination for transverse flaws may be done by using PA, AUT or TOFD with
the probe(s) on top of the weld and the beam in the weld axis direction. Since this
type of examination is easier to do with manual PA than with AUT or TOFD, it may be
preferable to use PA for transverse flaw inspection, regardless of whether PA, AUT or
TOFD is used for longitudinal flaw inspection.
2.3.4 AUT with B31.3 criteria
1. Conventional AUT employing shear waves in pulsed-echo mode may be used with
B31.3 paragraph. 344.6.2 flaw acceptance criteria for weld examination on CS piping
of ANSI Pressure Class 900 and on Cr-Mo steel piping of ANSI Pressure Class 150
900 in Normal Fluid Service.
2. The AUT system shall be calibrated per Section V, T-464, to set up the reference level
for examination per B31.3 paragraph. 344.6.
3. The examination shall be done for both longitudinal and transverse flaws.
a. For longitudinal flaws, at least two probes shall be used, with one on each side
of the weld, and moved in a raster B scan to interrogate the entire weld/HAZ
from both sides of the weld.
b. For transverse flaws, scanning shall be done with the beam parallel to the
weld axis.
4. The examination procedure and performance shall meet requirements specified in
(Appendix A) and (Appendix B) of this DEP.
5. For the applications listed above, contour grinding or machining of welds on the
outside surface shall be required to the extent necessary to perform examination of the
weld/HAZ for transverse cracks. However, as mentioned previously, even though AUT
can inspect both longitudinal and transverse flaws, it may be preferable to use PA in
lieu of AUT for transverse flaw inspection.
2.3.5 TOFD with B31 Case 181 criteria
1. TOFD may be used in lieu of RT for weld examination on the following:
a. CS piping of ANSI Pressure Class 1500 2500 in Normal Fluid Service
b. Cr-Mo steel piping of ANSI Pressure Class 1500 2500 in Normal Fluid
Service
c. 12Cr steel piping of ANSI Pressure Class 150 2500 in Normal Fluid Service
d. All of the above materials in Category M Fluid Service or in Severely Cyclic
Service
2. The examination procedure and performance shall meet the requirements specified in
(Appendix A) and (Appendix B) of this DEP,
3. The OD weld cap shall be machined or ground flat to allow examination for both
longitudinal and circumferential directions.
4. The flaw acceptance criteria shall be as specified in B31 Case 181 Data Analysis
Criteria for nonamplitude-based techniques.
5. Although TOFD can inspect both longitudinal and transverse flaws, it may be
preferable to use TOFD for longitudinal flaws and PA for transverse flaws.
6. Due to the presence of lateral wave and back wall indication signals, flaws occurring in
these zones may not be detected by TOFD. Welds near the surface (both top and
bottom faces) shall be angle beam examined as per requirements of ASME BPVC
Section V, Article 4. This examination may be manual or mechanised; if it is
mechanised, the data shall be collected in conjunction with TOFD.

This document has been supplied under license by Shell to:

Shell [email protected] 18/07/2015 08:30:33
ECCN EAR99 DEP 31.22.00.12-Gen.
February 2014
Page 10

2.3.6 PA with B31 Case 181 criteria

1. PA UT may be used in lieu of RT for weld examination on the following:
a. CS piping of ANSI Pressure Class 1500 2500 in Normal Fluid Service
b. Cr-Mo steel piping of ANSI Pressure Class 1500 2500 in Normal Fluid
Service
c. 12Cr steel piping of ANSI Pressure Class 150 2500 in Normal Fluid Service
pipes
d. All of the above materials in Category M Fluid Service or in Severely Cyclic
Service
2 The examination procedure and performance shall meet requirements specified in
(Appendix A) and (Appendix B) of this DEP.
3. The OD weld cap shall be machined or ground flat to allow examination for both
longitudinal and circumferential directions.
4. The flaw acceptance criteria shall be as specified in B31 Case 181 Data Analysis
Criteria for nonamplitude-based techniques.
2.3.7 AUT with ASME B31.3 Code Case 181 Criteria
1. AUT may be used in lieu of RT for weld examination on the following:
a. CS piping of ANSI Pressure Class 1500 2500 in Normal Fluid Service,
b. Cr-Mo steel piping of ANSI Pressure Class 1500 2500 in Normal Fluid
Service,
c. 12Cr steel piping of ANSI Pressure Class 150 2500 in Normal Fluid Service
pipes, and
d. All of the above materials in Category M Fluid Service or in Severely Cyclic
Service.
2. The examination procedure and performance shall meet requirements specified in
(Appendix A) and (Appendix B) of this DEP.
3. The OD weld cap shall be machined or ground flat to allow examination for both
longitudinal and circumferential directions.
4. The flaw acceptance criteria shall be as specified in B31 Case 181 Data Analysis
Criteria for either amplitude-based techniques or nonamplitude-based techniques.
5. It is acceptable to substitute AUT with PA for transverse crack inspection. The PA
examination shall meet the requirements given in "PA with ASME B31, code case 181
criteria".
6. When PA is used in lieu of AUT for the inspection of transverse flaws, the PA
examination shall meet requirement of ASME B 31 case and the OD weld cap shall be
machined or ground flat for the examination.

This document has been supplied under license by Shell to:

Shell [email protected] 18/07/2015 08:30:33
ECCN EAR99 DEP 31.22.00.12-Gen.
February 2014
Page 11

3. INSPECTION OF POWER PIPING

There are no additional requirements when using UT instead of RT. ASME B.31.1
allows use of radiography or ultrasonic technique, interchangeably for the acceptance of
welds.

4. TANK INSPECTION

4.1 LOW PRESSURE WELDED STORAGE TANKS

1. The requirements for ultrasonic inspection for low pressure storage tanks constructed
as per API 620 shall be in accordance with either API 620 clause 7.15.3.2 or API 620
clause 7.15.3.1. For ultrasonic inspection in lieu of radiography, requirements stated in
Appendix U of API 620 are applicable.
2. For the inspection of austenitic welds, ISO 22825 shall be followed for technique
selection, procedure development and operator qualification requirements. A
procedure qualification test program shall be developed by the Manufacturer and
agreed with the Principal.
3. When not otherwise specified, the qualification test shall conform to the requirements
of ASME V Article 14, with at least an intermediate level of rigor. Probability of
Detection (POD), False Call Probability (FCP) and sizing performance requirements
shall be by agreement with Principal. Qualification tests shall be performed prior to
examination and the results reported to Principal.
4. The test shall comprise measurements on calibration and reference blocks.

4.2 WELDED TANKS FOR OIL STORAGE

1. The requirements for ultrasonic inspection shall be in accordance with API 650, either
API 650 section 8.3.2 or API 650 section 8.3.1. For Ultrasonic inspection in lieu of
Radiography, requirements stated in Appendix U of the API 650 are applicable.
2. For the inspection of austenitic welds, ISO 22825 shall be followed for technique
selection, procedure development and operator qualification requirements.
3. A procedure qualification test program shall be developed by the Manufacturer and
agreed with Principal.
a. When not otherwise specified, the qualification test shall conform to the
requirements of ASME BPVC Section V Article 14, with at least an
intermediate level of rigor. Probability of Detection (POD),
b. False Call Probability (FCP) and sizing performance requirements shall be by
agreement with the Principal.
c. Qualification tests shall be performed prior to examination and the results
reported to the Principal.
4. The test shall comprise measurements on calibration and reference blocks.

5. VESSEL INSPECTION
1. Weld inspection with Ultrasonic testing during fabrication of pressure vessels shall be
carried out as specified in ASME BPVC Section VIII, Division 2 Part 7 (Section 7.5.5).
2. For the inspection of austenitic welds, ISO 22825 shall be followed for technique
selection, procedure development and operator qualification requirements.

This document has been supplied under license by Shell to:

Shell [email protected] 18/07/2015 08:30:33
ECCN EAR99 DEP 31.22.00.12-Gen.
February 2014
Page 12

6. REFERENCES
In this DEP, reference is made to the following publications:
NOTES: 1. Unless specifically designated by date, the latest edition of each publication shall be used,
together with any amendments/supplements/revisions thereto.
2. The DEPs and most referenced external standards are available to Shell staff on the SWW (Shell
Wide Web) at http://sww.shell.com/standards/.

SHELL STANDARDS
DEP feedback form DEP 00.00.05.80-Gen.

AMERICAN STANDARDS
Recommended practice for personal qualification and certification SNT-TC-1A
in nondestructive testing
Issued by: ASNT - American Society for Nondestructive Testing Inc.

Design and Construction of Large, Welded, Low-pressure Storage API 620

Tanks
Welded Tanks for Oil Storage API 650
Power piping ASME B31.1
Process piping ASME B31.3
ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code, Section V, Nondestructive ASME BPVC SEC V
Examination
Nondestructive methods of examination, General Article 1
Requirements
Ultrasonic Examination Methods for Welds Article 4
Article 14 - Examination system qualification Article 14
Calibration for Piping T-464
Weld Joint Distance Amplitude Technique T-472
ASME BPVC Section VIII - Rules for Construction of Pressure ASME/BPVC SEC VIII,
Vessels, Division 2 - Alternative Rules, Part 7 Inspection and DIV 2, Part 7
Examination Requirements
ASME B31 Case 181-2, Use of Alternative Ultrasonic Examination ASME B31
Acceptance Criteria in ASME B31.3

INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS
Non-destructive testing - Qualification and certification of NDT ISO 9712
personnel
Non-destructive testing of welds - Ultrasonic testing - Testing of ISO 22825:2012
welds in austenitic steels and nickel-based alloys

This document has been supplied under license by Shell to:

Shell [email protected] 18/07/2015 08:30:33
ECCN EAR99 DEP 31.22.00.12-Gen.
February 2014
Page 13

APPENDIX A UT PROCEDURE

A.1 GENERAL
1. Ultrasonic examination per this DEP shall be performed in accordance with a written
UT procedure conforming to the requirements of ASME BPVC Section V, Article 1,
T-150 and Article 4.
2. All the essential and nonessential variables listed in ASME BPVC Section V, Article 4,
Table T-421, shall be addressed in the procedure.
3. For TOFD, the additional requirements of ASME BPVC Section V, Article 4,
Appendix III, shall also be met.
4. The employer of the ultrasonic examiner(s) shall certify records of the examination
procedures used, showing dates and results of procedure qualifications, shall maintain
them, and shall make them available to Shell when requested.
5. In addition, the following general ultrasonic examination requirements must be met,
and shall be addressed in the written UT procedure.
a. Ultrasonic examination shall include the volume of the weld, plus the lesser of
nominal thickness or 25 mm (1 in) on each side of the weld.
b. A documented examination strategy or scan plan shall be provided showing
transducer placement, movement, and component coverage that provides a
repeatable methodology for weld acceptance that complies with this DEP. The
scan plan shall also include ultrasonic beam angle used, beam directions with
respect to weld centerline, and pipe volume examined for each weld.
c. A straight beam material examination (T-472 of ASME Section V, Article 4) for
reflectors that could interfere with the angle beam examination shall be
performed manually, or during the automatic UT examination (provided that
detection of these ref1ecctors is demonstrated as described in (Appendix B) of
this DEP.)
d. Except for MUT allowed for examination of CS piping in Category D Fluid
Service, ultrasonic examination data shall be recorded in unprocessed form.
A complete data set with no gating, filtering, or thresholding for response from
the calibration and piping weld examination shall be included in the data
record.
e. Flaw evaluation and acceptance criteria shall be per B31.3 or B31 Case 181,
as specified in Table 1 of this DEP.
f. Personnel performing examination per the procedure shall have received
classroom and hands-on training on the procedure. The training
requirements, including the required minimum number of hours of training,
shall be stated in the procedure as a nonessential variable.
g. All the indications requiring evaluation per B31.3 paragraph 344.6.2 or
investigation per B31 Case 181 shall be reported.
i. All the reportable indications not acceptable per the flaw acceptance
criteria shall have their sizes, locations and reasons for rejection
included in the report.
ii. When PA, AUT or TOFD is used, at least one scan image (B-scan,
D-scan or C-scan) showing the entire volume of the weld/HAZ shall be
included in the report for each weld examined.
iii. Every rejectable indication (i.e., failing the flaw acceptance criteria) shall
be marked on the image and/or have additional image(s) showing its
presence.

This document has been supplied under license by Shell to:

Shell [email protected] 18/07/2015 08:30:33
ECCN EAR99 DEP 31.22.00.12-Gen.
February 2014
Page 14

iv. Welds that do not have any reportable indication shall still have at least
one scan image for the entire volume of each weld/HAZ examined to
show the absence of reportable indication.

A.2 PHASED ARRAY

1. The written UT procedure shall address the following phased array requirements:
a. Minimum number of channels required for the system (essential variable)
b. Minimum number of elements contained in the transducer (essential variable)
c. Wedge to use with the transducer (essential variable)
d. Scan angle range and increment Sectorial scan shall cover, as a minimum,
an angle range from 35 to 70, with an increment not to exceed 1.

A.3 TOFD
1. The written UT procedure shall address the following TOFD requirements:
a. When TOFD D-scan (line scan parallel to the weld) is used to inspect for
longitudinal flaws, a minimum of three line scans shall be performed, with one
centered in the middle of the weld and two offset to the two sides of the weld
(one on each side) to achieve full coverage of the entire volume of the
weld/HAZ.

This document has been supplied under license by Shell to:

Shell [email protected] 18/07/2015 08:30:33
ECCN EAR99 DEP 31.22.00.12-Gen.
February 2014
Page 15

APPENDIX B PERFORMANCE DEMONSTRATION OF UT PROCEDURE

1. Acceptable performance on qualification blocks shall be demonstrated for UT
procedures used for weld examination per this DEP.
2. The qualification blocks shall be in accordance with ASMP BPVC Section V, Article 4,
T-434.1.2 through T-434.1.6, and shall contain at least two sets of three flaws as
follows, with one set oriented in the direction parallel to the weld axis and the other
transverse to the weld axis:
a. One surface flaw on the side of the block representing the pipe OD surface,
b. One surface flaw on the side of the block representing the pipe ID surface, and
c. One subsurface flaw.
3. Flaw size shall be no larger than the flaw in B31 Case 181, Table 1 or 2, for the
thickness to be examined.
4. Acceptable performance is defined as response from the maximum allowable flaw and
other flaws of interest demonstrated to exceed the reference level for examination per
the procedure. Alternatively, for techniques that do not use amplitude-recording levels,
acceptable performance is defined as demonstrating that all imaged flaws with
recorded lengths, including the maximum allowable flaws, have an indicated length
equal to or greater than the actual length of the flaws in the qualification blocks.
5. Performance demonstration testing shall be administered by the UT Supplier, and shall
be witnessed by the Principal at least one time for each procedure.
6. It is the Principals responsibility to determine the acceptability of the procedures
based on its review of the procedure and the performance demonstration testing.
7. It is the Suppliers responsibility to ensure that all personnel performing ultrasonic
examination on the project have been trained on the procedures and participated in
the performance demonstration testing of the procedures.
8. If more than one performance demonstration test on a procedure is needed to include
all the ultrasonic examiners for logistics or scheduling reasons, the Principal should
witness the first test and decide whether the procedure is acceptable. The Principal
shall be informed of subsequent tests; however, witnessing of the additional tests is
optional, at the Principals discretion.
9. The Supplier shall maintain a record of each performance demonstration test
(including the test date, the procedure tested, examiners involved, etc.) and make the
test records available to the Principal upon request.

This document has been supplied under license by Shell to:

Shell [email protected] 18/07/2015 08:30:33
ECCN EAR99 DEP 31.22.00.12-Gen.
February 2014
Page 16

APPENDIX C PERSONNEL QUALIFICATION TESTING

1. Personnel performing ultrasonic examination per this DEP shall have taken and
passed the Principals UT personnel qualification testing.
2. The personnel qualification testing is a blind test administered by the Principal and
uses test samples containing weld defects.
3. The Projects Group shall provide test samples comprised of carbon steel pipes and
plates of the following sizes and thicknesses.
a. NPS 6, Std (7.1 mm, 0.28 in) , 2 each
b. NPS 6, XXS (21.9 mm, 0.864 in), 1 each
c. NPS 12, Std (12.7 mm, 0.5 in), 2 each
d. NPS 12, XXS (25.4 mm, 1 in), 1 each
e. Plate, 2 in thick, 2 each
4. Design of the test pipes and plates shall be by Shell Global Solutions:
5. The test samples shall have defects as follows:
a. surface cracks
b. lack of fusion (including lack of side-wall fusion)
c. lack of penetration
d. undercut
e. porosity
f. transverse cracks
g. slag and inclusions
6. Personnel taking the test shall follow their employers written procedure.
7. Upon completion of the test, all the electronically acquired and stored data shall be
handed over to the Principal and deleted from the storage devices used by the
examiner.
8. The test results shall be graded in three categories: flaw detection, characterization
and sizing. The examiner must perform satisfactorily, meeting the Principals
requirements (at least 80%) in all three categories, to pass the test.
9. Personnel who have successfully passed the test are allowed to perform ultrasonic
examination using only the procedure that they used to take/pass the test.
10. Personnel may choose to take the test multiple times, each time with a different
procedure, in order to be qualified on multiple procedures.

This document has been supplied under license by Shell to:

Shell [email protected] 18/07/2015 08:30:33